PBR (physically based rendering)
PBR is an approach in which materials are described by how they behave physically rather than by how they should look.
Also known as: physically based rendering · PBR material
Instead of "make this look like metal", the material is given properties: how rough it is, how metallic, how much light it reflects. The renderer works out the appearance from those values and the lighting in the scene.
The gain is consistency. The same material looks right in daylight and under a lamp without being re-tuned, which is exactly what a product shown in different settings needs.
Common questions
Is PBR heavy?
It costs more than a flat material, but it is the standard approach in current engines and is affordable at sensible texture sizes.
Do we need special textures?
Usually a colour map plus roughness, metalness and normal maps. A supplier producing PBR materials will already have them.
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